Cooler apparatus

ABSTRACT

A cooler apparatus is disclosed having an onboard air conditioning assembly. The apparatus may be used to retain and chill food and beverages while simultaneously functioning to cool the surrounding environment. The air conditioner assembly may include a radiator positioned on or in a wall of a housing and an exhaust fan positioned to circulate air through the radiator. A source of air may be provided to the exhaust fan by an air intake fan. Additionally, a fluid reservoir containing a coolant for the radiator may be provided that includes at least one surface positioned proximate the interior of the housing. The coolant may thus be chilled by adding a predetermined quantity of ice to the interior of the housing and the chilled coolant may then be circulated between the reservoir and the radiator by a pump.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/231,227, filed Aug. 4, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A cooler apparatus is disclosed having an onboard air conditioning assembly. The apparatus may be used to retain and chill food and beverages while simultaneously functioning to cool the surrounding environment.

REFERENCE TO RELATED ART

Cooler apparatus are known in the art that can emit chilled air from an interior of the cooler into the environment. One such apparatus was the multifunction cooler disclosed by McCarrell in U.S. Pat. No. 7,475,563. Such devices, however, suffer from a number of disadvantages. For example, restrictions to air flow in the interior of the cooler may result when the cooler is completely filled with ice, food and beverages, or both.

Another apparatus was the portable air conditioner disclosed by Martello in U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,489. In Martello, a pump was positioned on a base of an ice water filled reservoir/cooler housing. The pump then functioned to intake chilled water directly from the reservoir and conducts it to an evaporator coil positioned in the lid of the air housing. Return lines are also provided to conduct water from the coil back into the reservoir. Martello thus described an open system for a portable air conditioner unit. A disadvantage of this open system is that debris normally found in a cooler can be drawn into the pump and cause damage. It would not have been appropriate, therefore, for Martello to function simultaneously as a cooler for ice, food and beverages, and an air conditioner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A completely green, multifunction cooler apparatus is disclosed that may be used to retain and chill food and beverages while simultaneously functioning to cool the surrounding environment. The apparatus may include a housing having a base, with a pair of sidewalls and a pair of end walls that extend from the base. The base and walls define an interior and an open top for the housing. A cover may also be provided to close off the open top and enclose the interior.

In addition, an air conditioner assembly may be included for use in cooling the surrounding environment. This assembly may comprise a radiator positioned in a wall of the housing and an exhaust fan that is proximate to, in line with, and interior to the radiator so that it may function to circulate air across the radiator. An air intake fan and an air flaw conduit extending between the air intake fan and the exhaust fan may also be provided to ensure that the exhaust fan has an adequate supply of air. A fluid reservoir containing a coolant may be positioned in the housing with at least one surface positioned proximate the interior of the housing.

In operation a predetermined quantity of ice positioned in the interior of the housing operates to chill the coolant in the fluid reservoir. A pump may then operate to circulate the coolant between the reservoir and the radiator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will be made herein to the attached figures wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a multifunction cooler apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the cooler apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the insulated interior of the apparatus with the inner shell or liner removed;

FIG. 3 is a planar side cut-away view of the cooler apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the airflow through the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a perspective partial cut-away view of the cooler apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the coolant reservoir, pump, induction and exhaust fans and power supply; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cooler apparatus of FIG. 1 showing various accessories.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a cooler apparatus 10 may include a housing 12, (and optionally an insulated barrier or insert 14), a cover 16 for the housing 12, and an air conditioner assembly 18. The air conditioner assembly 18 may be a closed system that uses ice 100 retained in the housing 12 to chill food and beverages placed in the housing. The ice 100 also functions to chill a coolant (not shown) for the air conditioner assembly, which is then used by the assembly 18 to chill air that may be exhausted through ports defined in the housing 12 and/or the cover 16.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-5, the housing 12 may be constructed as an open-top container having a base or floor 20, side walls 22, 24 and end walls 26, 28, with the walls 22-28 extending from the base 20 to define an interior space 30. The walls 22-28 and base 20 may be insulated (as is known) to allow ice 100 to remain frozen for extended periods of time. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the walls 22-28 and base 20 may be constructed to include a layer of foam insulating material positioned between an inner shell or liner 30 and an outer shell 32. Alternatively, the housing 12 may include an outer shell 32 and an insert 14, with the insert 14 being dimensioned to fit within the outer shell 32 and comprising an inner shell 30 having an insulated base and walls and defining an interior space for retaining ice, food and beverages.

The cover 16 may be dimensioned to fit the open top of the housing 12 to enclose the interior space 30. The cover 16 may also be removably or pivotably attached to the housing 12 and insulated.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, a first opening or port 34 may be defined in the outer shell 32 of the side wall 22 of the housing 12 for use as an air intake port as will be described further below. A drain 35 may also be provide in the housing 12 proximate the base 20 to assist with the removing of any water that may collect in the interior space 30. A second opening or port 36 may likewise be defined in the outer shell 32 of the same 22 or a different wall 24-28 of the housing 12 to function as an exhaust port. As best shown in FIG. 1, these openings or ports 34, 36 may also be covered by a vinyl screen 38, 40.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the housing 12 (and the cover 16) may be constructed of plastic, metal, metal alloy, or a combination thereof, from several parts and in a variety of shapes and styles according to the needs of the user. The housing 12 (and the cover 16) may also be molded as a unitary structure using known construction methods and materials. Accessory features may also be provided such as wheels 42 and a retractable handle(s) 44 or the like. These accessory features 42, 44 may be constructed in the same manner as the housing 12.

Still referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the air conditioner assembly 18 may include a radiator or coil 46 positioned in the wall 22 of the housing 12 proximate the second opening 36 and interior to the vinyl screen 40. It will be appreciated, however, that the radiator 46 may be positioned in any of the walls 22-28 of the housing 12, or in the cover 16. At least one exhaust fan 48 may also be positioned interior to, and in line with, the radiator 46. In the disclosed embodiment, the radiator 46 may be designed for low noise and have dimensions of about 157×133×25 mm.

Still referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the air conditioner assembly 18 may further include one or more intake fans 50, a fluid reservoir 52, a pump 54 and a power supply 56. As best shown in FIG. 3, an intake fan 50 may be positioned in the wall 22 proximate the first port 34 and interior to the vinyl screen 38. As also shown in FIG. 3, a panel 60 may extend between the fans 48, 50 and the ports 34, 36 to create an enclosed and unobstructed air channel or conduit 62 between those fans 48, 50. It will also be appreciated, however, that this air conduit 62 may be defined by shaping of the insulating material of the housing 12 or that the entire assembly of ports 34, 36, fans 48, 50, conduit 62, etc, may be constructed as a single unit that is then mounted into the wall 22. In the disclosed embodiment the fan(s) 48, 50 may, for example, be 12V fans.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the fluid reservoir or container 52 may be positioned, for example, within the floor 20 of the housing 12 between the shells 30, 32, with the interior shell 32 optionally functioning as the upper surface of the reservoir 52. The reservoir 52 may be constructed from a variety of materials including polymers, metals, or metal alloys as is known in the art.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the pump 54 may function to convey a coolant (not shown) by way of vinyl tubing 58 from the reservoir 52 to the radiator 46. The pump 54 may comprise a compact form factor version 1 (CFF1) pump having a ceramic bearing. The pump 54 and the tubing 58 may also be positioned in the insulated layer of the walls 22, 26 and between the shells 30, 32 of the housing 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the power supply 56 for the pump 54 and the fans 48, 50 may include one or more rechargeable Genesis NP 12V 2AH AGM batteries or the like. It will, however, be appreciated that other power supplies may be used. Like the pump 52, the power supply 54 may also be positioned in the insulated layer of the wall 22 and between the shells 30, 32 of the housing 12. The air conditioner assembly 18 may thus be activated by operation of a switch (not shown) electrically connected to the power supply 54. In addition, as best shown in FIG. 5, electrical connectors and/or jacks 64 that are also electrically connected to the power supply 54 may be provided in a wall 26 of the housing 12. These connectors 64 thus allow the apparatus 10 to be optionally connected to powered by all manner of AC or DC power sources 66, including but not limited to 110 outlets, automobile outlets and solar panels

As mention supra, an insulated insert 14 may used as an alternative to, or in addition to, using insulated walls 22-28 and base 20 for the housing 12 (or even where the housing 12 is uninsulated). The insert 14, for example, may include a grate configured to rest within the housing interior and dimensioned so that it is spaced a distance from the base 20 of the outer shell 32. Additionally, or alternatively, the insert 14 may be a wire or mesh cage dimensioned to fit inside the housing 12 and spaced a predetermined distance from interior surfaces of the outer shell 32 to allow for placement of the components of the air conditioner assembly 18. Further, as mentioned above, the insert 14 may include a molded insulating foam structure having a base and walls that define a recess suitable for holding a quantity of ice, food and/or beverages. One or more access panels (not shown) may also be provided to permit access to the components of the air conditioner assembly 18. It will, of course, also be appreciated that insert 14 could be dispensed with, and/or the ice 100 could be otherwise arranged to directly contact the reservoir 52 and the air conditioner assembly 18 otherwise remaining a closed system.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, in operation, the air conditioner unit 18 may function as a closed system having a fluid/coolant that is chilled by (and separated from) ice 100 that is placed in the interior 30 of the housing 12. Specifically, the pump 54 may function to circulate a fluid/coolant (not shown) from the reservoir 52 through the radiator 46 and back, with the exhaust fan 48 functioning to disperse the air chill by the radiator 46 out through the second opening or port 36. In the disclosed embodiment, this fluid/coolant may include a solution of distilled water and double distilled deionized water. Although it will be appreciated that other solutions may be used. Moreover, since the various elements of the air conditioner assembly 18 remain separated from the ice 100, the interior space 30 of the housing 12 remains available for chilling food and beverages (not shown).

Having thus described my invention, various other embodiments will become apparent to those of skill in the art that do not depart from the scope of the claims.

I claim: 

1. An apparatus comprising: a housing defining an interior and having an open top and including a cover positionable on the top and operating to enclose the interior of the housing, the housing further defining a first and a second opening and also being dimensioned to define an air flow pathway extending between the first and the second opening; an air conditioner assembly including a radiator, an exhaust fan, an air intake fan, a fluid reservoir and a pump, the radiator being positioned in the second opening of the housing, with the exhaust fan being positioned proximate the radiator and operating to blow air through the radiator and into the environment through the second opening, the air intake fan being positioned in the first opening, the fluid reservoir containing a coolant and having at least one surface positioned proximate the interior of the housing, and the pump operating to circulate the coolant in a closed system between the reservoir and the radiator; and a predetermined quantity of ice positioned in the interior of the housing, the ice operating to chill the coolant in the fluid reservoir.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a power supply positioned on the housing.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the power supply comprises a battery.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power supply operating to drive the exhaust fan, the air intake fan and the pump.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the power supply comprises a DC power supply.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the power supply comprises an AC power supply.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the power supply comprises a solar panel.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump comprises a compact form factor pump.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a base, side walls and end walls.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the walls and base are insulated.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises an outer shell, an inner shell and foam insulating material positioned between an inner shell and the outer shell.
 12. An apparatus comprising: a housing having a base, a pair of sidewalls, a pair of end walls and a cover, with the walls extending from the base to define a interior space having an open top closable by the cover, at least one wall of the housing defining a first and a second opening, and the housing being further dimensioned to define an air flow pathway extending between the first and the second opening; and an air conditioner assembly including a radiator, an exhaust fan, an air intake fan, a fluid reservoir and a pump, the radiator being positioned in the second opening, with the exhaust fan being positioned proximate the radiator and operating to blow air across through the radiator, the air intake fan being positioned in the first opening, the fluid reservoir containing a coolant and having at least one surface positioned proximate the interior of the housing, and the pump operating to circulate the coolant in a closed system between the reservoir and the radiator.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a predetermined quantity of ice positioned in the interior of the housing, the ice operating to chill the coolant in the fluid reservoir.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the coolant comprises distilled water.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, comprising a power supply operating to drive the exhaust fan, the air intake fan and the pump.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the power supply comprises a battery.
 17. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the walls and base are insulated.
 18. An apparatus comprising: a housing defining an interior and having an open top and including a cover that is one of removably or pivotably attached proximate the open top and that operates to enclose the interior of the housing, the housing also including an outer shell, an inner shell and foam insulating material between an inner shell and the outer shell, with the outer shell defining a first and a second opening, and the housing being dimensioned to further define an air flow pathway extending between the first and the second opening; and an air conditioner assembly including a radiator, an exhaust fan, an air intake fan, a fluid reservoir, a pump and a power supply, the radiator being positioned in the second opening of the housing, with the exhaust fan being positioned interior to the radiator and operating to blow air through the radiator and into the environment, the air intake fan being positioned in the first opening, the fluid reservoir containing a coolant and having at least one surface positioned proximate the interior of the housing, and the pump operating to circulate the coolant in a closed system between the reservoir and the radiator, and the power supply operating to drive the exhaust fan, the air intake fan and the pump.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a predetermined quantity of ice positioned in the interior of the housing, the ice operating to chill the coolant in the fluid reservoir.
 20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the coolant comprises double distilled deionized water. 